On August 29, 2022, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will be one step closer to landing the first women and person of color on the moon. Although, this being the second time NASA is attempting to put a person on the moon since 1969; NASA has a new plan with plenty of new technology. 

The first time NASA sent humans to land on the moon was July 20, 1969, during the Space Race between the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States (US). Back then, the goal was just to walk on the moon. However, according to NASA, the plan is to have a base camp on the moon where the astronauts can live and work. However, this upcoming launch is Artemis I, which will be an uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS). The base camp portion will most likely be with Artemis II and Artemis III. 

Additionally, the SLS is possibly the world’s most powerful rocket, and can carry around 154,000 pounds of weight, which is important for this mission because it will be carrying the astronauts in the Orion spacecraft and the other necessary parts for it. The Orion spacecraft is not the same as the SLS rocket, since the spacecraft will carry the astronauts and eventually break off to get closer to the moon, whereas the SLS rocket is the piece lifting off the Earth. There is also a third part, which is the human landing system that is built by American companies. The base camp that will be on the lunar surface, according to NASA, will have a cabin, a rover, and a mobile home. 

The Artemis program at NASA focuses on landing the first women and person of color on the Moon, while also exploring its surface with new technology. According to NASA’s website: “We’re going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers (…)”. That new generation will be the Artemis Generation. The Artemis programs will also lead the way for more Mars exploration and potentially stepping foot on Mars. 

For the historic launch of Artemis I NASA will livestream on August 29, 2022, at 8:33 am (ET). Although, there will be a broadcast on many channels, plus NASA’s website, app, and Youtube. 

Even though this will be the first launch of the Artemis program, it will be the start of a new generation and opens a path for new and improved technology for future missions to Mars, and the planets pass the asteroid belt.